Col. Stephen Farmen (standing), 26th Army chief of Transportation and commandant of the Army Transportation School, at Fort Lee, Va., speaks to Soldiers about the current and future state of the Transportation Corps, Feb. 10.

FORT SHAFTER — The 26th chief of Transportation for the Army and commandant of the Army Transportation School, visited, here, Feb. 10.

Col. Stephen Farmen spoke to more than 150 Soldiers at the Aliamanu Military Reservation Chapel about the current state and future of the Transportation Corps during his tour of the Pacific.

“As the Army transitions, the (Army) Transportation Corps has to stay healthy to provide the right capabilities for our Army and for the joint community that we support to evolve smartly into the 21st century,” Farmen said.

He added that Soldiers of the Corps are at the tip of the spear for the strategic pivot as the Army focuses on the Pacific.

“We understand the needs and requirements of the Army. Through initiatives that we’re working, we are moving in the direction that meets the needs of the (U.S.) Pacific Command,” he said.

“Leaders at the Transportation Corps are trying to change the way the Army looks at us, so that people understand that we’re not just truck drivers,” Elder said. “They understand our importance and what we bring to the fight.

Farmen emphasized that these are exciting times to be part of the Transportation Corps.

“As we look at our formations now, we have to optimize, imagine where we can be and innovate and invent our way forward, so we can maintain our readiness and capabilities,” Farmen explained. “We are going to turn the corner on some interesting modernization effects, while the branch is moving toward an energy efficient future to reduce the Army’s fuel footprint.”

Transportation Soldiers are the most capable Soldiers in the Army, Farmen added.

“We are the spearhead of logistics; nothing happens unless something moves,” he said.